Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-08
AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT.

The proposed amendment 20 the con-
stitution increasing the duration of the
sessions of the Legislature from sixty to
ninety Gays, should receive the unani-
nous support of the people Of Texas.
The provision originated in the House,
and this body was distinctively and espe-
ciaIly q Legislature Of farmers, who, as s.
usual thing, have time to reflect and com
prehension to Judge fairly all measures
proposed for the public good. The ci!ies
should Join the country in the passage Of
this measure. Under the present ar
rangement, legislators receive So 6 day
for sixty days, and s. day for thirty
days, The object in reducing the
per diem during the last thirty
days was to hasten ire work CT our
Lawmakers and induce them TO reach IN
adjournment at as early date as posi-
Bile. This provision is unnecessary and
manifestIy unwise The experience Of
all conversant with the history Of legisIa
ton or legislatures, is that the last days,
nay, the last hours of g session, are tempes-
tuous with rush of business. It's dur
ing the closing days that the fate Of all
measures offered and deliberated upon
during the entire session must be deter
mined. Ii is during this closing period
when the very best talent, the wisest
counsel and the greatest craftsmanship
should be in the van to battle with the
perpIexities which may arise, and to
smooth out the wrinkles of conflicting in
terests. Gentlemen who are capable of
directing important matters and guiding
the ship Of state to g safe harbor are
not such as find it remuneratiye to
work for $ per day. There are 8 very
few who can afford TO remain in Austin
at 50 per day, but they are usually that
character of men whose limited abilities
would be dear ct any price. It's doubtful
if there is y member of the Legislature
whose actual expenses will not average
s. for every day spent at the state capital,
snd it is not improbable that the average
expenses of q legislator will 60 higher
than this. II is unjust and unreasonable
to expect citizens to make such sacrifices.
DemagOgues may point TO the cotton field
or the factory to snow where men every
whit as able are working for less money,
but it should be remembered that the
character of the duties and the circum-
stances are totally dissimilsr, and that the
mechanic or labOrer who can fellow his
usual occupation for 50 per day could not
attend sitting of the Legislature IN Aus
tin for the same money, and do Justice to
himself The rapidly increasing interests
of the state require that more time and
thought should be devoted TO public bus
mess. The increased expense will
amount simply to So day for thirty
days, for each member, and this sum
dwindles into insignifcance when CON-
pared to the vast amount of geod to be
accomplished. Every year fresh members
ere taken from the body Of the people,
and these new recruits are entirely unac-
quSinted with the conventional modes and
parliamentary usages so necessary to the
prompt dispatch of business. They re-
quire time 10 familiarize themselves with
forms and proceedings, and it seems alb
surd to cut legislator down to 50 per
day as soon as he becomes pro-
fcient in the science OF law-making, while !
paying him more than double that sum
during the Seriod of his noviti&te The
increased expense is mere bagatelle
and unworthy consideration when COM
pared to theVast benefits which are sure